is there a new rule concerning the PR obligation?

[jabs]

dear Members

My friend and I landed in canada in aug 2011 we stayed around 1 month and both left. i never went back , but she kept going each year around 20 days. when She landed yesterday the Imigration officer was not happy that she was most of the time outside (although she still didnt lose her residency status and still have time) , and he told her that now the law changed and they increased the number of days to keep the residency active. Is this true?

i know that to keep the PR active is to stay at least 730 days from 5 years starting the landing date. is this still correct or there are changes?
can you please send me the link concerning this issue from an official canadian website?

thank you and regadrs,

 

[Leon]

There is no new law. She should have asked for a printout of the law or a brochure because if there was such a law, surely it would be published by immigration.

 

[jabs]

There is no new law. She should have asked for a printout of the law or a brochure because if there was such a law, surely it would be published by immigration.

ok thanks. and my calculations are correct right.? if i go back before aug 2016 ( i landed in aug 2011), i am safe?

 

[ryan007]

Jabs,
I think you need to be there by Aug 2014.....to meet the 2/5 rule to retain your residency, unless you have a compelling reason to stay away (not education,work,etc).

 

[Leon]

You must stay 730 days in a 5 year period, that's 2 years. That means you can be outside for up to 3.

You landed August 2011 and stayed a month. That means you left in September. You must therefore come back to Canada at the latest in September 2014, no more than 3 years after you left, in order to be able to meet the residency requirements. After coming back in Sept. 2014, you should stay for two years without leaving and only then can you apply to renew your PR card.

 

[scylla]

ok thanks. and my calculations are correct right.? if i go back before aug 2016 ( i landed in aug 2011), i am safe?

No - you're not safe. Between 2011 and 2016 you need to live two years in Canada to ensure you retain your PR status.